CHIPPENHAM Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) opening hours could be reduced by up to fourteen hours a week as part of proposals to reduce hours at hospitals across Wiltshire.

It’s understood that a proposal will be put forward at the next meeting of the Health Select Committee on Tuesday (September 27) at County Hall in Trowbridge, by Wiltshire Health and Care and supported by the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

At the moment Chippenham’s MIU is open from 7am until 1am but it’s understood the proposal will be to close at 11pm every day, a reduction of 14 hours across the week.

Trowbridge Hospital’s MIU also faces being cut to the same hours from its current 24 hours a day, seven days a week service.

Elizabeth Sexton, vice-president of the Chippenham Hospital League of Friends, said: “My understanding was they closed at night in the first place because it was difficult to get staff and also because so few people came in.

“It’s very sad and regrettable when services do have to close but I don’t think it will adversely affect Chippenham.”